Dryer and splash guard

ABSTRACT

A splash guard for hand dryers that eliminates or reduces water from being splashed from the hands during the drying process onto the nearby walls and floor. The splash guard may be configured to mount below existing wall mounted hand dryers or may include an integrated blower assembly having a blower positioned in the lower portion of the splash guard, such as below the outlet nozzle and the hands being dried.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This PCT patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/566,413 filed Dec. 2, 2011, entitled “Splash Guard For Hand Dryers And Low Surface Mount ADA Compliant Hand Dryer,” the entire disclosure of the application being considered part of the disclosure of this application and hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally directed to a dryer with an integrated splash guard, as well as splash guards for existing hand dryers that eliminates or reduces water from being splashed from the hands during the drying process onto the nearby walls, floor and clothes of the user.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Wall or surface mounted dryers have been used for many years in washrooms for drying a person's hands. Originally, most of these dryers used a low velocity air, causing the drying process of the hands to be fairly slow. To speed up the drying process, many manufacturers created high speed or high velocity hand dryers. As the velocity of the air impacting the hands increases, the water or moisture on the hands is increasingly sprayed off in a fine mist to the surrounding surfaces, particularly depending on how the user positions their hands. In certain high usage situations, such as airports and sporting facilities, the water and moisture may visibly accumulate on the walls, floor and surrounding surfaces. To protect the surrounding surfaces, manufacturers have tried a number of options, none of them completely successful. For example, some manufacturers supplied their dryers with flat sheets of acrylic, stainless steel or other materials. While these flat sheets of material protect the walls and are generally easier to clean, the sheets did not always fix the problem. The sheets are difficult to install, leave permanent marks when removed, and most times only direct the moisture to the floor and base moldings. Water and moisture on the floor, while typically less than what accumulated on the sheet only changes the location of the problem.

Another option that some manufacturers developed was hand dryers having a trough into which the user inserted their hands to minimize the ability of the moisture to be blown off the hands to the surrounding surfaces. However, as these trough-style dryers trap the moisture in a small area, the moisture may accumulate and therefore they require substantially more cleaning than traditional hand dryers. Many of these trough style dryers require a water tray near the bottom of the trough or a drain, due to the amount of moisture accumulated in such a small space. If a water tray is included, it needs to be emptied on a regular basis, sometimes even multiple times each day to prevent growth of undesirable organisms in the warm and moist environment. Some users have difficulty drying their hands without touching the moist or wet sides of the trough dryer. In addition, many users do not like to place their hands in the confined space of the trough, especially when accompanied by the noise of the blower. Finally, most trough dryers are very difficult for disabled people to easily access from a wheelchair.

Currently in the United States, the ADA requires that protruding objects with leading edges more 27 inches (685 mm) and not more than 80 inches (2030 mm) above the finished floor or ground shall not protrude more than 4 inches (100 mm) maximum horizontally into a circulation pathway, such as a hallway or passageway. Many facilities have substantial design limitations where the hand dryer may actually be installed, including when considering the flow of people entering and exiting a washroom. Currently all traditional hand dryers mounted to a wall must be mounted much higher than 27″ from the ground to be functional, leaving only two options to meet ADA requirements, recess the dryer into the wall so that it protrudes less than 4″, or use a low profile dryer having a complete thickness when mounted of less than 4″. Low profile hand dryers are expensive when compared to tradition hand dryers and are not capable of providing high speed air drying. Furthermore, low profile hand dryers are difficult to use, as the user typically needs to place their hands extremely close to the supporting surface to insert them into the air stream. Given the positioning of the hands, the user typically contacts the wall at least once during the drying process. In addition, the close proximity to the wall only amplifies the water and moisture problems discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a dryer with an integrated splash guard, as well as splash guards for existing hand dryers that eliminates or reduces water from being splashed from the hands during the drying process onto the nearby walls, floor and clothes of the user.

The dryer and splash guard is typically configured for mounting to a support structure, such as walls or dividers in washrooms and bathrooms. The dryer generally includes a back side configured to mount against the support structure, and further includes a contoured front surface including an evaporation surface having a longitudinal extent and a lateral extent and wherein the longitudinal extent extends downward and away from the back side. The evaporation surface generally has a concave front surface along its lateral extent for the dryer; however, the splash guard without integrated dryer may have a more planar surface, at least for an upper portion between sidewalls.

The dryer and splash guard both include sidewalls that protrude relative to the evaporation surface for at least a portion of the evaporation surface, and furthermore the evaporation surface extends laterally between a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The evaporation surface is generally bounded by a lower outer lip and the first and second sidewalls. The sidewalls protrude outwardly relative to at least a portion of the evaporation surface and cooperatively with the lower outer lip, defining a recessed drying cavity for users to place their hands for drying.

The dryer and splash guard each has a contoured front surface including an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, and wherein the upper portion includes an air outlet surface extending outwardly, relative to the back side and wherein the middle portion includes the evaporation surface extending from the upper portion to the lower portion. The evaporation surface further includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, and wherein the first portion extends downwardly from the air outlet surface and the second portion extends arcuatly outward and downward from the first portion and wherein a third portion extends away from the upper portion and outwardly relative to the back side. The third portion, when viewed along a line forming the longitudinal extent, is equal to or approaches a straight line for at least a section of the third portion.

The dryer and splash guard each includes an outer shell defining the front surface and an opposing inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the middle portion defines channels extending between the lower portion and the upper portion. The dryer includes a blower assembly having an expansion chamber proximate to the air outlet. The dryer may also include a cold plasma generator.

As stated above, the dryer may include a first and second side wall located at opposing edges of the lateral extent and wherein the first and second side walls extend along the opposing edges for at least the majority of the longitudinal extent of the evaporation surface.

The contoured surface may further include an air outlet surface extending from the evaporation surface and wherein the air outlet surface includes an air outlet configured to direct air along the longitudinal extent of the evaporation surface. The air outlet is generally located a first distance from the back side and wherein the evaporation surface includes an outer lip protruding a greater distance from the back side than the first distance, specifically that a portion of the air outlet is closer to the back side or wall than the outer lip of the evaporation surface.

The dryer includes a contoured inner surface opposing the contoured outer surface. A blower assembly having a blower and an air passageway is included. The contoured inner surface and outer surface include an upper portion, a middle portion, the contoured inner surface defining a blower cavity in the lower portion, at least one channel in the middle section, the blower being located in the blower cavity and wherein the air passageway extends from the blower through the channels to the air outlet. The dryer may be configured such that the middle portion is free from air outlets.

The present invention is further directed to a dryer configured to mount on a supporting surface. The dryer includes a backside and a contoured front surface including an evaporation surface having a lower outer lip and an air outlet surface including an air outlet on the opposing side of the evaporation surface from the lower outer lip, and wherein the lower outer lip protrudes at least partially further than the air outlet from the backside.

The dryer further includes a blower assembly having a blower, wherein the blower is located on the opposite side of the evaporation surface from the air outlet. The evaporation surface extends downwardly from the air outlet surface and away from the backside. The evaporation surface is at least partially bounded by sidewalls and wherein the sidewalls are free from air outlets.

The dryer may further including a cold plasma device, as well as an expansion chamber, a heater assembly, a blower, and a passageway extending from the blower to an air outlet, including through the expansion chamber.

A dryer and splash guard may include an evaporation surface having a longitudinal extent and a lateral extent and wherein the evaporation surface includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion when viewed in cross section along the longitudinal extent is approximately linear at least in part. The second portion extends from the first portion and when viewed in cross section along the longitudinal extent has, relative to the first portion, a decreasing radius. The third portion extends from the second portion and when viewed in cross section along the longitudinal extent has an increasing radius relative to the first portion. The first, second, and third portions may each, when viewed across the lateral extent, have a concave front surface.

The dryer and splash guard includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall located at opposing edges of the lateral extent, and wherein the first and second sidewalls extend along the opposing edges for at least the majority of the longitudinal extent, and wherein each of the first and second sidewalls protrudes relative to the evaporation surface for the majority of the longitudinal extent of the first portion and at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the second portion.

The present invention is directed to a dryer for mounting to a support structure. The dryer includes a contoured front surface having an air outlet surface and an evaporation surface extending therefrom. The evaporation surface includes a longitudinal extent and a lateral extent, as well as a first portion, a second portion extending from the first portion, and a third portion extending from the second portion. The first portion when viewed in cross section includes an approximately linear section. The second portion when viewed in cross section has an arcuate shape, and the third portion is less arcuate than the second section. The lateral extent of each of the first, second and third portions have an at least partially concave contoured front surface.

The second portion when viewed in cross section along the longitudinal extent has, relative to the first portion, a decreasing radius, and the third portion extending from the second portion when viewed in cross section along the longitudinal extent has an increasing radius, relative to the first portion. The radius of the third portion increases to an approximately linear surface along the longitudinal extent as it extends away from the second portion.

The dryer and splash guard further include a first sidewall and second sidewall each located at opposing edges of the lateral extent and wherein the first and second sidewalls extend along the opposing edges for at least the majority of the longitudinal extent. Each of the first and second sidewalls protrudes relative to the evaporation surface for the majority of the longitudinal extent of the first portion and at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the second portion.

The evaporation surface of the dryer and splash guard is bounded by a lower outer lip and the first and second sidewalls. The outer lip generally extends from the first sidewall to the opposing second sidewall.

The dryer is generally configured to have a longitudinal extent of at least 175 mm. The length of the longitudinal extent is measured along the profile of the evaporation surface, taking into account all of the arcuate surfaces. The longitudinal extent is generally between 225 and 550 mm, typically between 250 and 350 mm. The lateral extent is at least 125 mm. The dryer generally has an overall length of 400 to 800 mm. The dryer generally has an outer shell having a contoured outer surface having a middle portion and a lower portion, wherein the middle portion defines the evaporation surface and wherein the outer shell has a height of at least 130 mm from a backplate at approximately the center of the intersection of the middle and the lower portion.

The outer shell may have a contoured outer surface having an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, wherein the middle portion defines the evaporation surface and wherein the splash guard has an overall longitudinal length and wherein the evaporation surface forms the majority of the overall length.

The dryer further includes a backside, and the evaporation surface includes an outer lip extending a greater distance from the backside than at least a portion of an air outlet on the opposing side of side of the evaporation surface. The outer shell has a contoured outer surface having an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion and wherein the middle portion defines the evaporation surface and wherein the outer shell defines a cavity capable of receiving a blower assembly. In addition, the lower portion includes at least one air inlet and the upper portion includes an air outlet surface extending from the evaporation surface and the air outlet surface includes at least one air outlet.

The dryer may include a blower, a blower assembly having an expansion chamber proximate to the air outlet, to reduce the noise of the blower. The dryer may also include a cold plasma generator to sanitize the evaporation surface.

The dryer further includes an outer shell having a contoured outer surface and a contoured inner surface, each cooperatively having an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion, and wherein the middle portion defines the evaporation surface and the inner contoured surface includes a blower cavity in the lower portion, channels defined by the sidewalls, and an outlet cavity defined by the upper portion and wherein a blower assembly having a blower located in the blower cavity, an air outlet extending out of the upper portion and an air passageway extending between the blower and the air outlet and wherein the air passageway passes through the channels.

The outer shell may be configured to have a contoured outer surface having an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion and wherein the middle portion defines the evaporation surface and wherein an outer lip extends between the evaporation surface on the middle portion and the lower portion and wherein the third portion of the evaporation surface includes an approximately linear profile along the longitudinal extent proximate to the outer lip.

The dryer and splash guard, at least in the third portion, includes a linear profile having an angle of at least 30 degrees from horizontal and less than 60 degrees from horizontal, preferably at least 33 degrees from horizontal and less than 50 degrees from horizontal, and more preferably, at least 40 degrees from horizontal and less than 46 degrees from horizontal. As illustrated in the figures, the dryer includes a linear profile that is angled approximately 42 degrees from horizontal. Furthermore, the third portion may further include a concave lateral extent crossing the linear profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a dryer having a splash guard including an integrated blower assembly;

FIG. 2 is a bottom front perspective view of the dryer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational front view of the dryer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the dryer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top front perspective view of the dryer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the dryer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the dryer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the dryer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken lines B-B in FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a partial section view taken along lines C-C in FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the splash guard showing the blower assembly and related components located within the splash guard;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a splash guard without an integrated dryer being mounted below a wall mounted hand dryer;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the splash guard of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the splash guard of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a right side elevational view of the splash guard of FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the splash guard of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the splash guard of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to dryers 10 including an integrated splash guard, and to splash guards 10′ for existing wall or structure mounted dryers 12. The splash guard dryer combination 10 is generally configured to include a blower assembly 120. The separate splash guard 10′ may be added below existing wall mounted hand dryers 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-12, the dryer 10 with splash guard includes an integral blower assembly 120 and, as illustrated in FIGS. 13-18, a splash guard 10′ is mounted below existing dryers 12. Each of the dryer 10 and splash guard 10′ generally include an outer shell 20 having a contoured outer surface 30 that includes an evaporation surface 60, as well as sidewalls 36 that cooperate to prevent moisture and water from being blown off a person's hands to the surrounding structure such as walls and floors. In addition, the evaporation surface 60 and sidewalls 36 cooperate and are so configured that moisture being blown off of the hands onto the splash guard of the dryer 10, or the splash guard 10′, especially during high speed hand drying, is substantially changed from the liquid to the gaseous state while on the evaporation surface 60. As such, even when moisture is blown off the hands onto the evaporation surface 60, it accumulates and runs down the evaporation surface 60 from the air velocity pushing it down the evaporation surface 60. The evaporation surface 60 is specifically configured to ensure that the moisture evaporates before it is ejected off the outer lip 52 at the end of the evaporation surface. More specifically, as the splash guard, specifically the evaporation surface and sidewalls 36 trap and accumulate moisture, the profile of the evaporation surface 60 is configured to evaporate any moisture before it is ejected onto a user's clothing or the floor. In addition, the dryer 10 and splash guard 10′ are substantially beneficial to facilities when properly mounted for functional use, as the dryer 10 and splash guard 10′ will have a portion below the 27″ from floor height, allowing the dryer 10, as well as the splash guard 10′ with a separate dryer 12, to be mounted in hallways and protrude more than four inches from the wall, and yet be in compliance with ADA requirements. In summary, the dryer 10 and splash guard 10′ address all of the problems stated above in regards to water or moisture being ejected off of a person's hands to the surrounding surfaces, as well as any problems regarding any maintenance and hygiene while providing a compact, ADA compliant package.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the dryer 10 generally includes an outer shell 20 with a contoured outer surface 30 and an opposing contoured inner surface 100. As described herein, unless otherwise noted, the outer surface configuration, specifically the contoured outer surface of the splash guard 10′, is similar to that of the dryer 10, and the following discussion, while at times only directed to the dryer 10, may also be applied to the splash guard 10′. The contoured outer surface 30 generally includes a front surface 32 which may be broken into three portions, specifically an upper portion 40, a middle portion 50, and a lower portion 58. Each of the upper, middle, and lower portions 40, 50, and 58 are configured to provide unique functionality.

The upper portion 40 generally includes an outwardly extending front surface 42, a top surface 46, and an air outlet surface 54 extending from the evaporation surface to the outwardly extending front surface 42. The upper portion 40 is generally configured such that the inner contoured surface 100 of the dryer 10 defines an outlet cavity 106, bounded by the top surface 46, the outwardly extending front surface 42 and the air outlet surface 54. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the upper cavity 106 allows the blower assembly 120 to have space for additional functionality, other than a blower 200. It is expected that the blower 200 will not be located in the outlet cavity 106. Instead, the outlet cavity 106 provides sufficient space for the air passageway 270 extending from the blower 200 to the air outlet 56, which extends through the air outlet surface 54, as defined below. The blower assembly 120 may include an expansion chamber 280, as well as a cold plasma generator 310. The expansion chamber 280 allows for elimination of certain undesirable frequencies, thereby quieting the operation of the integrated splash guard dryer 10. The expansion chamber 280 is also configured to allow sufficient spacing between the electrodes (not shown) of the plasma generator 310. The plasma generator 310 is configured to provide ions into the high velocity air stream of the dryer, and the ions are configured to sanitize surfaces of the dryer 10, as well as the hands of a user.

The middle portion 50 is configured to extend downward from the upper portion and is the area where users would place their hands to be dried. The middle portion 50 generally includes the evaporation surface 60 bounded by the sidewalls 36 and a lower outer lip 52. The evaporation surface 60 is configured such that any moisture or water ejected from a person's hands will accumulate on the evaporation surface 60 and be blown away from the air outlet 56 toward the outer lip 52 but substantially evaporate before ever reaching the outer lip 52. More specifically, the upper portion 40 includes an air outlet surface 54 extending above and from the middle portion 50, specifically the evaporation surface 60 and the air outlet 56 protrudes from the air outlet surface 54. The air outlet 56 is directed toward the evaporation surface 60. More specifically, the air outlet 56 is directed such that the exiting air is blown along the longitudinal extent 62 of the profile of the evaporation surface 60.

The evaporation surface 60 is uniquely configured to at first allow moisture and water to accumulate, then be blown downward and finally forced to evaporate before it is ejected off the outer lip 52. The profile and surface configuration of the evaporation surface 60 have been carefully determined to ensure that the water and moisture being blown off a person's hands does not accumulate on the surrounding surfaces such as the walls or floor. Instead the moisture is forced downward and is forced to evaporate to a gaseous state before it may be ejected onto a person's clothing. As one would understand, it would undesirable for moisture to be ejected from a person's hands to a splash guard and then be directly blown onto a person's clothing.

The evaporation surface 60 generally has a longitudinal extent 62 and a lateral extent 64 extending between the lateral edges 66. The longitudinal extent 62 runs along the length of the profile of the evaporation surface 60 and as discussed herein follows such a profile. The evaporation surface 60 may be broken into three distinct portions: a first portion 70, a second portion 80, and a third portion 90.

For the dryer 10 the first portion 70 generally extends from the air outlet surface 54 downward. For the splash guard 10′ without the integrated dryer, the first portion 70 generally starts proximate to the top edge of the splash guard 10′. For the dryer 10, the first portion 70 is much smaller than the first portion 70 of the splash guard 10′ for use with existing dryers 12. By integrating the blower assembly 120 into a dryer with an evaporation surface 60, more control over positioning of the air outlet 56 or multiple air outlets was possible, thereby allowing for a smaller first portion 70. The first portion 70 generally extends, for at least part of the first portion 70, downward, or is substantially aligned with either the surface on which the dryer 10 is mounted or a backplate 22 of the dryer 10. For the dryer 10, the first portion 70 may include a radiused portion from the outwardly extending or horizontally extending air outlet surface 54 to the downward or vertically extending first portion 70. While this radiused portion extending downwardly may form part of the first portion 70, it is likely that the first portion is at least partially aligned with the back 22, and may even when viewed in profile of the cross section in FIG. 9 include a linear portion. For the dryer 10, the first portion may also be configured to be at least slightly concave as viewed from the front surface 32. The separate splash guard 10′ may include a more planar or elongated slightly concave surface that is substantially vertical. The first portion 70 extends to the second portion 80.

The second portion 80 generally extends from the first portion 70 and has an arcuate shape that extends outwardly and downwardly. As illustrated in FIG. 9, this second portion may be a large radius, with arcuate portions of differing radii on each side. The splash guard 10 may include a radius of greater than 100 mm, preferably greater than 120 mm and more preferably greater than 140 mm. As the arcuate portion must move from the substantially vertical configuration of the first portion 70 to a more outwardly extending configuration in the third portion 90, the arcuate portion has a radius of less than 300 mm, preferably less than 225 mm, and more preferably less than 185 mm. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the radius is approximately 150 mm. As further illustrated in the sectional view of FIG. 10, the second portion 80 generally has a slightly concave front surface 32. Although FIG. 9 seems to illustrate a fairly consistent arcuate shape, it is expected, as discussed below, along the longitudinal extent of the second portion the arcuate shape with have a decreasing radii as the second portion 80 moves away from the first portion 70.

The second portion 80 is, for at least the majority of its longitudinal extent, bounded by the sidewalls 36, and as illustrated in the Figures, bounded for substantially the entire second portion 80. The arcuate nature of the second portion 80 is specifically configured to slow the water or moisture running downward on the dryer 10.

The second portion 80 as discussed above is expected to have a decreasing radius. More specifically, the second portion 80 extends from the substantially vertical and at time at least partially linear or planar first portion 70 and bends outwardly away from the first portion 70. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the second portion 80 may extend from the substantially vertical portion of the first portion 70 toward an acruate portion having a radius of approximately 150 mm. The second portion 80 may then start to have an increasing radius to the arcuate portion; however, the increasing radius predominantly occurs in the third portion 90.

The third portion 90 of the dryer 10 generally includes in profile along the longitudinal extent 62 an arcuate increasing radius, or as illustrated in FIG. 9 may be approaching or even substantially linear. As the third portion 90 extends into the arcuate lip, the arcuate lip has a reversed radius of curvature as it divides the middle portion 50 from the lower portion 58. In comparison, the splash guard 10′ has a smaller third portion 90; however, the increasing radius may move to a substantially planar area before the radius of curvature reverses across the outer lip 52. The third portion 90 ends the evaporation surface 60 at the outer lip 52. While the size of the third portion 90 may vary, it generally is configured to slow down the passage of any water drips being blown along the evaporation surface 60, such that they evaporate before passing the outer lip 52. While the third portion 90 is illustrated in FIG. 9 as having a substantially linear profile near the outer lip, it may still have a slight radius to the evaporation surface proximate to the outer lip 52. In addition, the third portion 90 may have, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a concave surface 68 forming part of the front surface 32.

The lower portion 58 extends downward and inwardly from the middle portion 50 to a lower end. The lower portion and middle portion are approximately divided by the outer lip 52. The lower portion 58 may be configured to define a blower cavity 102 to receive at least a portion of the blower assembly 120, specifically the blower unit 200 and related components. Of course, similar to the upper and middle portions, 40, 50, the lower portion 58 is a three dimensionally contoured surface. The inner contoured surface generally defines channels in the middle portion 50 that extend between the blower cavity 102 to the outlet cavity 104 and allow passage of the air passageway.

The dryer 10 is typically at least 400 mm, preferably 500 mm, more preferably 550 mm, and less than 800 mm, preferably 700 mm, and more preferably 650 mm. As illustrated in the Figures the dryer 10 is approximately 600 mm, making it compact while yet allowing it to extend low enough to the floor that it creates an ADA compliant dryer even though it extends more than 4 inches off of the wall. The splash guard 10′ may be similarly sized, however as it may be added below preexisting mounted dryers, it may be a little longer in size, but is preferably sized for easy shipping dimensions.

As discussed above, the dryer 10 and splash guard 10′ are generally configured to work by evaporating water from the evaporation surface 60 before it may be transferred to the floors and walls, and by its very design is configured to typically to have all droplets of water evaporated from the splash guard before the end of the cycle for the dryer unit. More specifically, the sidewalls or side channels 36 are configured to ensure that the air being ejected from the nozzle in the dryer substantially stays within the within the evaporation surface 60. Therefore, the droplets from the air impacting at various angles of the user's hands do not get blown off or sprayed off to the various wall surfaces and the floor. The evaporation surface 60 is configured to be elongated and have enough space to allow users to comfortably fit their hands within the lateral extent 64 and longitudinal extent 62, without touching the sidewalls 36 or the evaporation surface 60. As such, the middle portion 50 is sufficiently recessed relative to the upper portion 40, and specifically the evaporation surface 60 is sufficiently recessed relative to the sidewalls 36 and air outlet 56 to comfortably fit the hands of a user. The concave shape of the evaporation surface 60 illustrated in cross section in FIGS. 10 and 11 assists in providing sufficient room for all hand sizes.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the first portion 70 may have a length along the longitudinal extent 62 of the evaporation surface 60 of approximately 25-100 mm, and the second portion 80 may have a length of approximately 25-300 mm, preferably 50-200, more preferably 100-175 mm and even more preferably 125-150 mm. The third portion 90 may vary in size, but needs to be in combination with the second portion 80 at least long enough to ensure substantially all water evaporates before it reaches the outer lip 52. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the third portion has a longitudinal extent of 25-400 mm, preferably 50-300, more preferably 100-275 mm, and even more preferably 120-150 mm. The lower portion 58 may have a height of approximately 200-250 mm for the splash guard 10 with integrated blower assembly 120; however, as illustrated in FIGS. 13-18, a much smaller lower section 58 is possible as the splash guard 10′ does not need to cover a blower assembly. The lower portion 58 as such does not need any specific height; just sufficient space to fit the blower 200 included in the blower cavity 102, if desired.

During operation, a user places the hands in the hand receptacle cavity, defined substantially by the middle portion 50. The blower assembly 200 generally includes sensors, not illustrated, that sense the presence of hands and initiate a drying cycle. The drying cycle tends to last as long as the hands remain, plus an additional time period. To ensure that the evaporation system remains dry, the dryer may continue operation for a specified time period.

As stated above, the blower assembly 120 may include a cold plasma generator 310 that sanitizes the evaporation surface, including most of the middle portion, and generally the surrounding surfaces. The cold plasma generator allows the assembly to ensure sanitized surfaces. 

1. A dryer for mounting to a support structure said dryer comprising: a back side configured to mount against the support structure; and a contoured front surface including an evaporation surface having a longitudinal extent and a lateral extent and wherein said longitudinal extent extends downward and away from said back side.
 2. The dryer of claim 1 wherein said evaporation surface has a concave front surface along its lateral extent.
 3. The dryer of claim 1 wherein said evaporation surface extends laterally between a first side wall and a second sidewall, and wherein said evaporation surface is bounded by a lower outer lip and said first and second walls.
 4. The dryer of claim 3 wherein said sidewalls protrude outwardly relative to at least a portion of said evaporation surface and wherein said sidewalls and said lower outer lip define a recessed drying cavity.
 5. The dryer of claim 1 wherein said contoured front surface includes an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion, and wherein said upper portion includes an air outlet surface extending outwardly, relative to said back side and wherein said middle portion includes said evaporation surface extending from said upper portion to said lower portion, and wherein said evaporation surface includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion and wherein said first portion extends downwardly from said air outlet surface and said second portion extends arcuatly outward and downward from said first portion and wherein a third portion extends away from said upper portion and outwardly relative to said back side.
 6. The dryer of claim 5 including an outer shell defining said front surface and an opposing inner surface and wherein said inner surface of said middle portion defines channels extending between said lower portion and said upper portion.
 7. The dryer of claim 5 wherein said third portion when viewed along a line forming said longitudinal extent is equal to or approaches a straight line for at least a section of said third portion.
 8. The dryer of claim 1 further including a blower assembly having an expansion chamber proximate to said air outlet.
 9. The dryer of claim 1 further including a blower assembly having a cold plasma generator.
 10. The dryer of claim 1 further include a first and second side wall located at opposing edges of said lateral extent and wherein said first and second side walls extend along said opposing edges for at least the majority of said longitudinal extent of said evaporation surface.
 11. The dryer of claim 1 wherein said contoured surface further includes an air outlet surface extending from said evaporation surface and wherein said air outlet surface includes an air outlet configured to direct air along said longitudinal extent of said evaporation surface.
 12. The dryer of claim 11 wherein said air outlet is located a first distance from said back side and wherein said evaporation surface includes an outer lip and wherein at least a portion of said evaporation protrudes a greater distance from said back side than said first distance.
 13. The dryer of claim 11 further including a contoured inner surface opposing said contoured outer surface, and a blower assembly having a blower and an air passageway and wherein said contoured inner surface and outer surface include an upper portion, a middle portion, said contoured inner surface defining a blower cavity in said lower portion, at least one channel in said middle section, said blower being located in said blower cavity and wherein said air passageway extends from said blower through said channels to said air outlet.
 14. The dryer of claim 13 wherein said middle portion is free from air outlets.
 15. A dryer configured to mount on a supporting surface, said dryer comprising: a backside; and a contoured front surface including an evaporation surface having a lower outer lip and an air outlet surface including an air outlet on the opposing side of said evaporation surface from said lower outer lip and wherein said lower outer lip protrudes at least partially further than said air outlet from said backside.
 16. The dryer of claim 15 further including a blower assembly including a blower and wherein said blower is located on the opposite side of said evaporation surface from said air outlet.
 17. The dryer of claim 1 wherein said evaporation surface extends downwardly from said air outlet surface and away from said backside.
 18. The dryer of claim 1 wherein said evaporation surface is at least partially bounded by sidewalls and wherein said sidewalls are free from air outlets.
 19. The dryer of claim 15 further including a cold plasma device.
 20. A splash guard for a dryer comprising: an evaporation surface having a longitudinal extent and a lateral extent and wherein said evaporation surface a first portion, a second portion and a third portion and wherein said first portion when viewed in cross section along said longitudinal extent is approximately linear at least in part, a second portion extends from said first portion and wherein said second portion viewed in cross section along said longitudinal extent has relative to said first portion a decreasing radius, and said third portion extending from said second portion when viewed in cross section along said longitudinal extent has an increasing radius relative to said first portion; and a first and second side wall located at opposing edges of said lateral extent and wherein said first and second side walls extend along said opposing edges for at least the majority of said longitudinal extent, and wherein each of said first and second side walls protrudes relative to said evaporation surface for the majority of the longitudinal extent of said first portion and at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of said second portion.
 21. The splash guard of claim 20 wherein said third portion along said lateral extent is concave.
 22. A dryer for mounting to a support structure, said dryer comprising: a contoured front surface having an air outlet surface and an evaporation surface extending therefrom, said evaporation surface including a longitudinal extent and a lateral extent and wherein said evaporation surface includes a first portion, a second portion extending from said first portion and a third portion extending from said second portion and wherein said first portion when viewed in cross section includes an approximately linear section, and wherein said second portion when viewed in cross section has an arcuate shape and wherein said third portion is less arcuate than said second section and wherein said lateral extent of each of said first, second and third portions has an at least partially concave contoured front surface.
 23. The dryer of claim 22 wherein said second portion when viewed in cross section along said longitudinal extent has relative to said first portion a decreasing radius, and said third portion extending from said second portion when viewed in cross section along said longitudinal extent has an increasing radius relative to said first portion.
 24. The dryer of claim 23 wherein the radius of said third portion increases to an approximately linear surface along the longitudinal extent as it extends away from said second portion.
 25. The dryer of claim 22 further including a first side wall and second side wall each located at opposing edges of said lateral extent and wherein said first and second side walls extend along said opposing edges for at least the majority of said longitudinal extent, and wherein each of said first and second side walls protrudes relative to said evaporation surface for the majority of the longitudinal extent of said first portion and at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of said second portion.
 26. The dryer of claim 22 wherein said evaporation surface is bounded by a lower outer lip and said first and second side walls and wherein said outer lip extends from said first sidewall to said opposing second sidewall.
 27. The dryer of claim 22 wherein said longitudinal extent is at least 175 mm.
 28. The dryer of claim 27 wherein said longitudinal extent is between 225 and 550 mm.
 29. The dryer of claim 22 wherein said longitudinal extent is between 250 and 350 mm.
 30. The dryer of claim 22 wherein said lateral extent is at least 125 mm.
 31. The dryer of claim 22 further including a back side and wherein said evaporation surface includes an outer lip extending a greater distance from said backside than at least a portion of an air outlet on the opposing side of side of said evaporation surface.
 32. The dryer of claim 22 having an overall length of 400 to 800 mm.
 33. The dryer of claim 22 further including an outer shell having a contoured outer surface having a middle portion and a lower portion and wherein said middle portion defines said evaporation surface and wherein said outer shell has a height of at least 130 mm from a backplate at approximately the center of the intersection of said middle and said lower portion.
 34. The dryer of claim 22 further including an outer shell having a contoured outer surface having an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion and wherein said middle portion defines said evaporation surface and wherein said outer shell defines a cavity capable of receiving a blower assembly.
 35. The dryer of claim 34 wherein said lower portion includes at least one air inlet and said upper portion includes an air outlet surface extending from said evaporation surface and said air outlet surface includes at least one air outlet.
 36. The dryer of claim 22 further including a blower assembly having an expansion chamber proximate to said air outlet.
 37. The dryer of claim 22 further including a blower assembly having a cold plasma generator.
 38. The dryer of claim 22 further including an outer shell having a contoured outer surface and a contoured inner surface, each cooperatively having an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion and wherein said middle portion defines said evaporation surface and said inner contoured surface includes a blower cavity in said lower portion, channels defined by said sidewalls and an outlet cavity defined by said upper portion and wherein a blower assembly having a blower located in said blower cavity, an air outlet extending out of said upper portion and an air passageway extending between said blower and said air outlet and wherein said air passageway passes through said channels.
 39. The dryer of claim 22 further including an outer shell having a contoured outer surface having an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion and wherein said middle portion defines said evaporation surface and wherein an outer lip extends between said evaporation surface on said middle portion and said lower portion and wherein said third portion of said evaporation surface includes an approximately linear profile along said longitudinal extent proximate to said outer lip.
 40. The dryer of claim 39 wherein said linear profile is at least 30 degrees from horizontal and less than 60 degrees from horizontal.
 41. The dryer of claim 40 wherein said linear profile is at least 33 degrees from horizontal and less than 50 degrees from horizontal.
 42. The dryer of claim 41 wherein said linear profile is at least 40 degrees from horizontal and less than 46 degrees from horizontal.
 43. The dryer of claim 22 wherein said linear profile is angled approximately 42 degrees from horizontal and wherein said third portion further includes a lateral extent crossing said linear profile and wherein said lateral extent is concave.
 44. The dryer of claim 22 wherein said further including an outer shell having a contoured outer surface having an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion and wherein said middle portion defines said evaporation surface and wherein said splash guard has an overall longitudinal length and wherein said evaporation surface forms the majority of said overall length. 